Sin Reveals Grace.

We can not grasp the wonderful love, mercy, and grace of God until we realize how bad we are. Until we see that we have so wronged the Perfect Creator, and see that He is the only one to forgive us, then we are lost in our blindness. All sin is what we do against God and the things we do that break His law. You can’t hurt your best friend, and ask another friend to forgive you for the wrong you did to someone else. It also does not work to pretend that you never wronged your friend. The only way is to ask forgiveness; The same applies to God through Christ.

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Romans 3:10

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

John 14:6

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

“For he(Father God) hath made him(Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

I once heard a comedian do a piece on Christ. This ignorant person compared what Christ did with someone who shot their own foot for their neighbor’s mortgage. This is not a true comparison for several reasons; First of all, the debt we owe was paid for by the one we owe it to. In this comic piece, it is someone unrelated causing him self harm for a debt between two separate parties. Romans 6:23 (see above) says that the wages (cost) of sin is death, Christ came to pay that debt, to die in our place.

Secondly, the pain Christ went through was not pointless as the comparison implies. His death on the cross was only a small portion of the pain he endured, but it was the most important and most remembered. Thankfully He did not stay dead, but conquered death. Because He rose again, we have everlasting life through Him because death is conquered; The debt has been paid.

Mark 10:34

“And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.”

1 Thessalonians 4:14

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

The gift of Salvation waits to be claimed.

Romans 10:9

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

I would love to tell you that once you have claimed this gift that everything will be easy, but it wont. It will be harder, but more wonderful than all the ease the world could provide. We are warned and comforted of the trials to come.

Philippians 1:29

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:33-36 “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

John 14:26-28 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.”

2 Corinthians 1:4

“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

Date Day!

Granny and I went out today. We went and saw the movie "Home" Which was very funny, cute, and I'd recommend it for the humor. Most of what we ate today was popcorn, nachos, soda pop, and enough ice cream to feed 6 or more. We are feeling pretty miserable from all the junk food, but it was worth it. We had a good time.
It is days like today that make me look at my life and see just how blessed I am. Since I am working, I was able to be the treater. Spending the day with someone you love, that loves you, is something not everyone gets to do, and I know I am blessed in that.

God is good.
Even when the days are not as wonderfully comfortable as this one was.

When the going gets tough...

Most days things are fine, but some days get hard to get through. It's that way for everybody. Everyone has their battles. Mine just happens to be with my joints (mostly just that.) When it rains, or if I decide to get sodapop, or if I push myself too far, it is like I suddenly break and I'm simply done. It gets hard to focus and think, forget standing or much moving. Neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, back, hips, knees, ankles, and some muscles that sit between them, hurt.
It's obvious when this happens, I know because everyone around tells me when this happens. Which is good because sometimes I don't realize it myself. I'll be so focused on doing stuff that needs to be done, that I'll be ignoring the signals my body is sending me. Not in a sudden way, because I have to ignore it all the time to get through a day. Before I learned to do that, I didn't do much because of the focus on my hurt made it hurt too much to do.
I'm glad that I am able to push through, I love working, but I wish I didn't have to push through. Especially on those days when I get up in the morning and feel like my whole body is just waking up, (like when your foot falls asleep-goes numb-then the nerves kick back in,) and I have as much energy as a slug on a hot summer's day. Those are the days when I wish for ease, yet don't let myself even if I could. Those are the days that when it all seems too much to bear I start to berate myself to try to keep on, but only continue to spiral down. Some times on those days I will pray, but an empty prayer it is when my heart is so far from God in pain and frustration.

I like to be superwoman; I like to do it all. Who doesn't?
It's a hard reminder to me on how little I can do, when those pains come on, when my muscles weaken and are sore, when I am reminded that I am human living in a broken body.

Getting Personal.

I don't get personal often or easily. I'll talk about my family, the weather, my Lord, but I grow wary when it comes to talking about myself. Whether it is how I am feeling physically, or what I am thinking, or if it is something I've lived. I always leave something out when I tell a story that might be considered personal, when I tell anything at all.
Even on my worst days, when everyone knows there is something wrong I say "I'm fine" and walk on. It is an area of me that I hold on too tightly to. It is not easy to live in a lonesome walk such as this, but fear holds me here... And that is not how I should be living.
Even those that do not have the confidence of Christ know that it is no way to live. One of the ways I have tried to open up a little bit, is here. This blog has been a mild outlet when I have felt brave enough to share something I know few will look at. Most of my posts get no more than 6 views, with those intriguing titles pulling in a whole 12-14 views.
Especially within the house of believers we are to be at least somewhat open, because we are told to bear one another's burdens. (Gal6:2)

I know I still don't have any close friends because I don't want people to know enough about me to be close. People can't be trusted. It comes down to that. I tried, got hurt, and I know people are people and they are all people, and people lie, cheat, steal... they sin, just like me.

Even when I write a biblical blog post, it is usually more centered around someone else and their experience rather than my own. Because God forbid that I should clue people in on my sins and shortcomings. Not because I want to seem perfect, but because I don't want them used against me. It seems enough pain to know that I have stumbled away from my Savior yet again, that I choose sin, without the added pain of negative comments from people. I know in my heart that only the opinion of Christ truly matters, but it still hurts when the opinions of others are against me. I'm sure it's the same for you.
I can not seem to even make myself talk through a whole conversation. If it's getting personal, or uncomfortable in any minor way, I run. Sometimes literally run.

I don't think talking has ever been my thing. Some times I think I do not have "a thing." I look at everything I can't do, and that is my problem. Looking at my failings... Looking at me instead of God.

One of my main defences is a quick wit drowned in sarcasm. So, I am trying to memorize Eph 4:29-32 since most of the sarcasm is down right wrong. But, what verses tell one to be open, and ready to be hurt by the world? I know Paul was. He knew that God was the beginning and end of all things, and that all in his life was something of which God could gain the glory. The good, the bad, the righteousness, and sin were all used to teach and help others see God for who He is, and what we are.
Maybe instead of running away from being personal, I should personally share to God's glory. Not that I should revel and reveal and live in all the bad things I keep so carefully guarded, or share every opinion asked or not. But maybe I should look for ways to share my own personal testimony to God's glory. Maybe instead of answering "I'm fine" or "I'm here" when asked how I am doing on a rough day, I should answer with a smile "I'm hurting, but, praise God, I'm living!"

Should and Shouldn't.

In Colossians, Paul paints a wonderful (I mean blunt) picture of things we, as Christians, should be and not be.


Col3:5-17
 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

"The Dos and Don'ts"

Mortify meaning to put off fleshly/worldly things-which are then listed: (to put them into more used words...) "Unmarried sex, sin, excessive affection, evil lusts, desiring to have what belongs to someone else."-vs5

He also tells us to get rid of anger (which is pride,) and to not intend (to do) evil toward others. We are not to talk profanely, or have any filthy way of speaking, and we are not to lie.

As if all that wasn't enough, here comes the dos!

We are to be holy, merciful, kind, humble, meek, patient, and forgiving. And above all those things we are to live love. Letting God's peace rule our hearts, and being thankful for everything (even those things which we deem bad.) Knowing the Word of God to teach and warn each other with grace.

This is my prayer: That I would not only be able to do these things, and not do these things, but to WANT to follow my Lord rather than my own sinful way. I know my Lord provides me with the power to follow His will. He has told me this in His Word. My prayer is that I would Live Him as He lives in me.
Galatians 2:20
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

When something is stolen...

I didn't have anything stolen, but a lady I work with did. It was a nook or something that got stolen at her church. So upset she went on and on about how she wished she could go to church without all the sinners. I just inwardly shook my head. It was as if she didn't realize she is a sinner too!
But it got me thinking.
What does God have to say about when we have something stolen from us?
Several verses came to mind.

Matthew 5:38-41 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain."



Luke 6:27-31 "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

One thing we have to keep in mind, the ministry of Christ was built on love and giving. The disciples kept little to nothing for themselves, but left all to follow Jesus.

Second Corinthians talks about the people sharing what they have with one another that they all never lack. (See final text) It quotes Exodus 16:18 which talks about the manna from heaven, where every man gathered no more or less than he had need of. Something we don't see in our day in age in America; we gather what we have need of, plus anything else we can get our hands on. Things rule the lives of many people. This is not to be the way for God's people. We are to be focused on God and heaven, not on ourselves and earth.

I'm not saying, neither does the Word say, that you can't feel upset about it. You'll never find where the Bible tells you what you should feel, simply how you should act and react.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."






2 Corinthians 8:8-16 "I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you."

what interests people.

It is interesting to me to see what post titles get the most hits.
My number one viewed post was Why I left home.
Followed by Getting to heaven by works.
And in the number three spot is Dealing with those awful sinners.

Just... interesting.

John 3:16... and 17-20

EVERYONE knows John 3:16. Even those who don't believe have at least heard this verse before. But what does it mean to them? Little to nothing.
Why is that? Because God's grace means nothing to those who don't think they need it.
Reading on, in 17-20 we learn just how much we need His Mercy and Grace.


16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
God sent His Son because we were already condemned by our sin; His love for us caused Him to take action to save us from ourselves.

When people think of Sin, the blame-game is still being played. In the Garden Adam and Eve blamed each other and the serpent, and the serpent hadn't a leg to stand on. But, here we are, many generations later and we are still pointing fingers. James addresses this a little in chapter one: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."(James1:13-16)

It is our own fault when we fall into temptations and evil, and we on our own haven't the power to flee it. 1st Corinthians 10:13 says:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

When we look to our Savior, as He saved us from our sin, He will continue to provide to keep us from it. Without Him, all there is left is sin and death.

Word Of God.

How do you know that the bible is true?
Having been talking with a man at work about God, this is something I want to be able to answer.

Firstly, I want to address that the Bible is not just a book, but it is God Himself-The Living Word.
John 1:1-3
 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He quoted scripture to him. (quoted from Deu8:3) There is power in the Word of God.
Matt 4:4
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

Heb 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Every verse given to us is important. All of it can be used to help us grow in the Lord.

2nd Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

Just reading through the Bible is not enough either. We are to study it-Study the Lord.

2nd Timothy 2:14-16  "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."